Frosty Shenandoah Valley Sunrise

23 degrees!! I love “chilly weather” but 23 degrees isn’t chilly; it’s cold, and I do NOT like the cold. With teleworking, I fortunately didn’t have to drive anywhere, but dogs will be dogs, which meant a 7:00 am walk around the yard.

As often happens, a dreaded walk in the cold turned into a moment to enjoy. With no wind, clear skies, and heavy moisture in the air, a thick layer of frost fell overnight. My dreary winter landscape was now a frosted world that brought to mind sugar plums and candied citrus, and the promise of spring, though hidden, was there in the frost-covered buds of the trees. It was beautiful and fleeting, lasting only until the warm rays of sun broke over the tops of the forest and melted the glistening grains.

I know I won’t jump out of bed with anticipation on cold mornings, but at least now I will have a bit of hope that the walk around the yard will be a pretty one!

frosty silverthorn

frosty silverthorn closeup

frosty silverthorn leaves

frosty twig

frosty twigs

frosty evergreen

frosty dogwood buds

sunrise over the barn

*** This personal blog is comprised solely of the opinions, views, projects, and travels of its author, Stacey Morgan Smith. She is lucky enough to have loving family and friends whom she drags along with her on her adventures and whom she puts to work on her little farm. She uses this blog to help promote living in the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, from Roanoke to the Potomac River.**